Claudia Shields

My communication style

My communication style is relaxed, easy, and down-to-earth. I am often told that I put people at ease and have a calming effect. When communicating with you, I will first listen deeply, checking in to make sure that I have understood you accurately. I am very relational in my work -- there is a give-and-take exchange, where we work together.

My journey to mental healthcare

My journey began almost 40 years ago, when I was battling my severe depression and was losing hope. I met some brilliant doctors and counselors who showed me how to heal. They gave me new life, filled me with hope, and provided new insights. I knew then that I wanted to help others learn to do what they'd taught me to do for myself.

My goals for you

During our first session, I will work with you to establish goals for our treatment. For each goal, we will develop specific steps that we will take to meet it. I am results-oriented, but at the same time, I will allow you to set the pace for our work. I will help you identify the sources of your issues and offer suggestions on how to address them

Our first session

During the first session, I will be asking lots of questions about your experiences, your needs, and your hopes for our work together. This session is a bit more structured because I will be gathering specific information so that I can get a full picture of what your life is like. We will create a set of goals that will guide our work.

I identify as...

• Cis, Female
• Black or African American
• Christian, Interfaith